The Married At First Sight family is in mourning following the death of Mel Schilling at age 54, with co-star John Aiken among those hardest hit.

The relationship expert, 55, broke down on the Today show on Wednesday morning as he spoke for the first time about her death, revealing the devastating toll of losing his ‘partner in crime’.

‘I’m not going to lie, this has been a very, very difficult day for me and basically everyone in the MAFS family and her nearest and dearest. It’s tragic, and it happened very quickly,’ a visibly shattered John said.

John revealed he had the chance to see Mel and her husband Gareth one last time before her death –  a moment he described as both ‘very emotional’ and ‘very special’.

‘It was a very aggressive cancer, unfortunately,’ he said, fighting back tears.

‘One of the things I loved about Mel was that she was such a fighter… she never complained. Whether she was on set or off set, she was a breath of fresh air, a real shining light.’

John Aiken, 55, broke down on the Today show on Wednesday morning as he spoke about his colleague and friend Mel Schilling’s death – revealing the devastating toll of losing his ‘partner in crime’

Despite her illness, he said Mel’s spirit never dimmed – a quality that defined both her professional and personal life.

‘One of the things about Mel is that she lights up a room. She’s got this real vitality and energy,’ he said.

Offering a glimpse into their off-screen friendship, John shared memories of the lighter moments they enjoyed together during filming.

‘While you might see her, you know, giving a serve to one of the couples on the couch during a commitment ceremony, off set we would often sing, dance, she’d FaceTime her daughter and we’d sneak in the odd lolly or two,’ he said.

‘We had a lot of fun together… she was always someone who made things a lot lighter. She was very much a glass half full person. We loved her.’

Reflecting on her legacy, John described Mel as a ‘real role model’ and ‘voice of reason,’ revealing he felt ‘very privileged’ to have worked alongside her for a decade.

‘She was my partner in crime through all of this,’ he said, referring to their time navigating the show’s meteoric rise.

‘I couldn’t have done it without her… it won’t be the same now. It’s very hard for me to get my head around her not being there.’

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‘I’m not going to lie, this has been a very, very difficult day for me and basically everyone in the MAFS family and her nearest and dearest. It’s tragic and it happened very quickly,’ a visibly shattered John said

Reflecting on her legacy, John described Mel as a ‘real role model’ and ‘voice of reason,’ revealing he felt ‘very privileged’ to have worked alongside her for a decade

He also spoke of her deep belief in the show’s mission and the couples who took part.

‘She loved love. She was completely committed to the participants. She wanted everyone to get the fairy tale,’ he said.

In a final, poignant reflection, John shared what he believes Mel would want people to remember.

‘You’ve got to keep moving forward, keep fighting, lean on people that are really close to you, and tell them that you love them,’ he said.

‘She just kept fighting, never complained and just pushed forward.’

Mel’s death marks the second profound loss John has endured in recent years, following the passing of another close friend and colleague, MAFS co-star Dr Trisha Stratford.

Trisha passed away in September 2023 at age 72, three years after leaving the franchise.

John had broken the news of her death on social media, posting: ‘I’m heartbroken and devastated that my friend and dear colleague Trisha has passed away.’

Mel’s death marks the second profound loss John has endured in recent years, following the passing of another close friend and colleague, MAFS co-star Dr Trisha Stratford (centre)

Trisha passed away in September 2023 at age 72, three years after leaving the franchise

‘We shared an amazing seven seasons of MAFS together. She loved everything New Zealand, relationships, the All Blacks, the Black Caps, French wine and travelling the world. I’ll miss you Tish.

‘Thank you for all the memories.’

The clinical neuro-psychotherapist, who hailed from New Zealand, joined the Nine show in its first season in 2015, starring alongside relationship gurus John and Sabina Read.

Sabina was later replaced by Mel Schilling.

John’s heartbreaking appearance on Today came hours after he penned a lengthy tribute to Mel on social media.

Alongside photos of one of their first TV appearances together alongside one of their last, John wrote: ‘Where it began and where it ended.

‘It’s with great sadness and heavy heart that today I lost my dear friend and fellow MAFS expert Mel Schilling. I am heartbroken, devastated and finding it hard to breathe.

‘She came into my life 10 years ago and together we rode this juggernaut, being there for one another through it all. Nothing could prepare us for what lay ahead, but she was always in the fox hole with me.’

John’s heartbreaking appearance on Today came hours after he penned a lengthy tribute to Mel on social media. Alongside photos of one of their first TV appearances together alongside one of their last, John wrote: ‘Where it began and where it ended’

He said it had been ‘a privilege and an honour’ to sit beside Mel on the MAFS couch, praising her warmth, honesty and unwavering commitment to the participants, adding that ‘at her core she loved love’.

John also offered a rare glimpse into their off-screen bond, recalling how they would ‘sing, dance, face time her daughter and eat lollies’ before filming – and how Mel would ‘squeal’ and run to hug him each time he arrived on set.

He went on to describe her as a devoted mother and wife, calling her ‘loving, committed, loyal, fun and so very very kind,’ and a role model whose family was always her driving force.

Touching on her cancer battle, John said she never complained, instead continuing to show up with strength and professionalism, calling her ‘an inspiration, a fighter, a leader’.

But it was the reality of her loss that hit hardest.

‘It’s not fair that my partner in crime is gone,’ he said. ‘I am unravelling just thinking about it.’

In a final message, John thanked Mel for everything she had given him over the past decade, admitting he is ‘distraught’ as he comes to terms with her passing.

He ended by sending his love to her husband Gareth and daughter Maddie, adding that ‘the MAFS universe weeps’ for a woman he said was truly ‘one of the good ones’.

Mel’s husband Gareth (right) announced on Tuesday that the dating expert had died just days after revealing her cancer had spread to her brain

Mel’s husband Gareth announced on Tuesday that the dating expert had died just days after revealing her cancer had spread to her brain.

In a lengthy statement, he spoke of her love for him and their daughter Madison, 10.

Mel helmed the expert panel of the Australian franchise for 12 seasons and also appeared in five series of the UK version on Channel 4.

But she had announced she would be stepping back from filming earlier this year, in order to prioritise her family and health.

John stepped in to replace her for the remainder of the latest UK series, as filming was underway.